US2177686A - Engine driven generator system - Google Patents

Description

F. BRACKEN ET AL ENGINE DRIVEN GENERATOR SYSTEM Oct. 31, 1939.

Filed Nov. 19, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS fbA/vK BIPACKEN BU$5ELL P550 ATTORNE Oct. 31, 1939. BRACKEN ET AL 2,177,686

ENGINE DRIVEN GENERATOR SYSTEM Filed Nov. 19. 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a/ .v l/Z //2 I #5111 1/7 11 1 o I l0:

INVENTORS FI'PA/VK BRACKEN fuasru. FEED ATTORNEE Patented Oct. 31, 1939 UNITED STATES ENGINE DRIVEN GENERATOR SYSTEM Frank Bracken and Russell Reed, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Warner Bros. Pictures, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application November 19, 1937, Serial No. 175,442

16 Claims.

This invention relates to engine driven generator units, and has the following objects: to reduce the noise of an internal combustion engine and associated mechanism; to reduce the noise of exhaust gases of an internal combustion engine; to direct the noise of an engine assembly in a predetermined path; to increase the efficiency of a cooling system for an engine; to increase the flow of air in a cooling system for an internal combustion engine; and to produce a compact engine assembly.

The manner in which the above and other objects of the invention is accomplished will be apparent from the following specification read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a sectional, elevational view through an engine driven generator assembly embodying the present invention.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the generator assembly and is taken along the lines 22 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is an end View of the generator assembly with the rear panel removed and is taken in the direction of the arrow 3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the rear of the generator assembly.

Fig. 5 is a sectional, elevational view of the fan drive and is taken along the line 55 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view, partly broken away, of one of the water jacketed exhaust manifolds.

Fig. 7 is a sectional View through the generator assembly, partly broken away, showing a modified form of fan drive.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, the engine-generator assembly comprises an electric generator generally indicated at l0 and a gasoline engine of the V-type generally indicated at The generator I0 is of the usual construction comprising a circular casing |2 enclosing both the field coils (not shown) and the armature l3. The armature shaft l3 of armature I3 is rotatably carried at one end thereof in an outboard bearing l4 supported from the casing I2 through a spider shaped bracket l5.

The gasoline engine II is also of the usual construction comprising a crankcase l6 and a pair of cylinder blocks [1 and I8 secured thereto in a V-formation. The crank shaft IQ of the engine II is suitably connected in a manner not shown to the armature l3 for rotating the same. A flange at the rear of the engine [I is secured to the generator Ill through bolts 2|, forming an integral engine-generator unit.

The rear of the engine-generator unit is supported by means of wheels 23 and 2d. Respective shafts 23 and 2 3 of wheels 23 and 24 are carried by brackets 25 and 26, respectively, secured on either side of the generator casing H by bolts 21.

A sub chassis is provided to support the forward end of the engine-generator unit on a single steerable wheel l8. This chassis comprises a pair of longitudinally extending channel members 3i! and 3| on either side of the crankcase [6 of engine Each of the channel members and 3| are secured to the sides of the crankcase I6 by a series of bolts 32. A cross bar 33 is secured across the members 36 and 3| by bolts 34 and has formed in the center thereof a vertically extending bearing to rotatably receive an upwardly extending bearing stud 35 projectingfrom a wheel saddle 3G. Saddle 36 has secured to the lower ends thereof the shaft 3i of wheel 28. A draw bar 38 is secured to the shaft 37 for the purpose of moving and steering the unit.

The forward ends of the channel members 3|] and 3|, forming part of the sub-chassis, are secured, as by welding, to a cross piece 40 forming part of a panel frame 39. Longitudinally extending frame beams 4| and 42, also forming part of the panel frame 39 are secured at either end of the cross piece 40. The opposite ends of the members 4| and 42 are welded to a second cross piece 43. The rear section of the panel frame 39 is supported from the generator |2 through brackets 44 and 45, (Fig. 3) which brackets secure the cross bar 43 to the spider bracket l5 of the generator l2 by bolts 46. Vertical corner posts comprising structural angles ll, 48, 49 and 50, also forming part of the panel frame 39 are suitably secured at their lower ends to the corners of the rectangular frame comprising the members 49, 4|, 32 and 43. Structural ties 5|, 52, 53 and 54 completing the panel frame 39 are secured between the upper ends of the corner posts 4'! to 50, inclusive.

A series of sound insulating panels 55, 56, 51 and 58, enclosing the sides of the panel frame 39, form an enclosure open at its bottom and top ends to form an air and sound conduit therethrough. Each of these panels comprises an outer sheet of metal 59 and an inner sheet of sound absorbing and fireproof material 59 such as asbestos, secured thereto to reduce the transmission of sound therethrough.

An air cooled heat radiating water radiator 60 is suitably secured in the upper end of the panel frame and substantially fills the same. The radiator E30 slopes downward slightly, for example, at the front end thereof to permit a drainage of the water therein toward the front of the unit. A protective Wire screen of wide mesh Si is supported above the surface of the radiator '80 to prevent damage to the radiator from falling objects. The position of the radiator in a horizontal position not only permits it to be cooled in part by the natural convection of air but results in a more unitary and compact structure for the same amount of radiator surface. Furthermore, the radiator is situated in a safe and unobstructing position permitting ready access to all parts of the generator and motor.

The water cooling system for the engine II comprises a water pump 62 having an inlet 03 and an outlet 64, which pump is driven by a suitable motor 65. Pump 62 may also be coupled to the cam shaft of engine II. The inlet 63 is connected to the outlet end of the radiator 60 through an inlet pipe 86. Flexible hose couplings 61 and 68 are provided to resiliently support the pipe 66 between the inlet 63 of pump 62 and the outlet 89 of the radiator 00 to prevent breakage thereof clue to vibration or misalignment of the radiator 50 relative to the engine II. The outlet 54 of the water pump 62 is connected through a flexible hose coupling 09 to a T I0. One end of the T I0 is connected to the water cooling passages (not shown) of the cylinder block I8 through a connection 9%. The other end of the T I0 is connected through a conduit ll, passing through the crankcase IE, to a connection 9I (Fig. 3) communicating with the water cooling passages in the opposed cylinder block I'I. After passing through the water cooling passages of the cylinder blocks I1 and I8, the water is passed through short conduits I2 opening into water jackets I4 and i5, respectively. Return conduits I6 and TI are connected between the water jackets I4 and 75, respectively, and the rear end of the radiator 60 to return the heated Water to the radiator for cooling.

The water jackets I4 and I5 enclose a portion of the exhaust manifolds I8 and I9, respectively, which are connected through conduits (Fig. 6) to the interiors of the exhaust chambers of the respective cylinder blocks. The manifolds I8 and I9 pass above the radiator 60 and open into separate sound absorbing mufflers 8| and 82, respectively.

The radiator 50 is cooled by a series of fans 83, 84 and 85. The fan 83 is driven from the cam shaft of the engine I I through a gear unit generally indicated at 86 (Fig. 5). Unit 86 comprises a pair of beveled gears 81 and 88, the gear 08 being secured to the end of the cam shaft 09 of motor II. The gear 87 is secured to the lower end of a shaft 90 journaled within bearings SI and 92 formed in upper and lower gear casings 93 and 94, respectively. The upper gear casing 93 is supported from the lower casing 94 by a tubular column 73. The pinion gear 95, secured to the upper end of the shaft 90, meshes with a gear 96, secured to the fan shaft 91. The shaft 91 is journaled within bearings formed in the upper gear casing 93 and has secured thereto a belt pulley 98 adapted to drive a continuous belt 99. The fans 84 and are secured to vertically extending shafts I00 and I iiI, respectively, journaled within columns I 02 and I03, respectively. The column I 03 is secured to the upper surface of the casing I2 of generator I0, while the column I02 is secured to a cross plate I04 (Fig. 2) suitably supported between the two cylinder blocks I1 and I8. Pulleys I05 and I06 are secured to the fan shafts I00 and NH, respectively.

A modified form of fan drive is shown in Fig. '7 wherein the fans 85 etc. are driven from the generator shaft I3 instead of from the cam shaft 89 of engine II. In this case the casings 93, 94 and column 13 (Figs. 1 and 5) are retained merely to provide bearings for the fan shaft 91, the shaft and gears associated therewith being removed. A pulley II4 (Fig. 7) is secured to the end of generator shaft I3 to drive an endless belt II5. Belt II5 travels over a pair of coaxial idler pvlleys, one of which is shown at H5, and around a pulley III, secured to the fan shaft H of fan 85. A bracket IIB rotatably supports the co-axial idler pulleys from the top of generator casing I2.

In lieu of the above mentioned arrangements for driving the fans 83, 84 and 85, an electric motor may be substituted, deriving its current from the output circuit of the generator I0.

It will be noted on reference to Fig. 2 that the shaft I90 of fan 84 is disposed out of line with the centers of the other fans 83 and 85 whereby a sufiicient amount of arcuate contact of the belt $9 on the pulley I05 is formed to insure a driving traction.

Mufflers 8I and 82 are supported above the radiator 60 on cross beams H0 and III. These beams are supported at their ends on the longitudinally extending upper frame members 52 and 54, forming part of the panel frame 39. Semicircular straps II2 secure each of the mufflers BI and 82 to the cross beams H0 and III by bolts H3.

The transmission of sound from a medium of a certain density to another medium of a different density will cause reflection and refraction of the sound to be set up at the juncture of the two mediums. Furthermore, the amount of reflection depends on the difference in density between the mediums through which the sound is passed, it being greater for greater differences in density. The mufflers BI and 82 are arranged to utilize the above principle by spacing them apart, closely adjacent the edges of the side panels 55 and 56. Also the mufflers are arranged parallel with each other. Now, when the bank of heated air, carrying with it the engine noises, is forced upwardly through the radiator 60 by the fans 83, 04 and 85, it passes in contact with the mufflers BI and 82. Therefore. this bank of heated air will be further heated along the sides thereof due to its contact with the hot mufiiers which are in turn heated by the exhaust gases passing therethrough from the en gine I I. Thus it will be seen that the density of the heated air bank which is reduced due to the heat thereof will be further reduced along the sides thereof because of additional heating imparted by the mufflers 8I and 82. Consequently, a greater change in density will be effected at the boundary of the heated air bank and the outer cool air resulting in a greater reflection and refraction of the sound Waves Within the air bank. This reflection and refraction of the sound waves will continue back and forth across and within the air bank as it is rising upwardly from the generator unit thereby substantially confining the noise within the heated air bank and reducing the horizontal transmission of sound outside of the heated air bank.

Whether the above explanation is correct or not, the fact is that we have successfully demonstrated that the method and means herein disclosed provide a much quieter generator unit than heretofore.

However, there is support for our view that a material part of the reduction of the various noises of the engine and generator is caused by the absorption of sound by the heated air through which the various noises pass.

As will be noted in Figs. 1 and 3 the outlet conduits H4 and H5 of the mufflers 8| and 82, respectively, are returned to a central position relative to the radiator 60 and terminate in an upwardly extending position to direct the exhaust gases upwardly in the rising air currents. The exhaust of the exhaust gases in an upward direction as well as the heat produced by the mufliers 8| and 82 increases the natural convection of air through the enclosure formed by the various panels 55 to 58, inclusive, thereby reducing the transmission of exhaust and engine noise in a horizontal direction.

Due to the position of the mufflers within the vertically rising current of air caused by the fans 83, 84 and 85, as well as due to the natural convection thereof, these mufflers will be cooled, thus reducing the expansion of exhaust gases therein and consequently reducing the noise caused by these gases.

The cooling of the exhaust manifolds by means of the water jackets M and 15 insures a minimum of heat being generated within the enclosure formed by the panels 55 to 58, inclusive, while reducing the expansion of the gases within these manifolds with a consequent reduction in sound in the exhaust.

The particular arrangement of the radiator to above the motor H and generator 52 and the provision for directing the air upwardly in a vertical direction permits both the engine and particularly the generator to be cooled by the air passing upwardly through the enclosure before it is warmedby passage through the radiator. This particular arrangement also insures that all parts of the engine-generator unit as well as the radiator 60 are equally exposed to the draft of cooling air. Furthermore, the use of a plurality of fans insures a uniform cooling of the entire surface of the radiator 60 while permitting a relatively slow peripheral speed of each fan to obviate the noisy whirl caused by the fan blades at high speed.

The invention is particularly applicable to portable engine driven generator units for use in supplying current to lamps, motors, etc. used in photographing motion pictures while recording the sound incident thereto. However, it is to be understood that the invention has numerous other fields of application. Further, while we have illustrated and described our invention in its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that various modifications may be made and no limitations upon the invention are intended other than are imposed by the scope of the appended claims.

We claim:

1. A motor assembly comprising an internal combustion motor, a sound muffler, means for conveying exhaust gases from said motor to said mufiier, and a radiator for said motor intermediate said motor and said mufiler.

2. A motor assembly comprising an internal combustion motor, a sound muffler, means for conveying exhaust gases from said motor to said muffler, a heat dissipating radiator for said motor intermediate said motor and said muffler, and

means for directing air past said motor, through said radiator, and thence past said mufiler.

3. A motor assembly comprising a water cooled internal combustion engine, a muffler, means for conveying exhaust gases fromsaid engine to said muflller, a water cooling radiator intermediate said engine and said muffler, means for conveying Water between said radiator and said engine for cooling said engine, and means intermediate said radiator and said engine for passing air through said radiator from said motor and past said muffler.

4. A motor assembly comprising an internal combustion engine, a vertically extending enclosure surrounding said engine and having an opening at the lower end thereof, a radiator for said engine at the upper end of said enclosure, and means for directing air upwardly in said enclosure past said engine and thence through said radiator.

5. A motor assembly in accordance with claim 4 wherein said enclosure comprises sound absorbing material.

6. A motor assembly comprising a fluid cooled internal combustion motor, a vertically extending i enclosure surrounding said motor and having an air inlet at its lower end below said motor, a horizontally disposed fluid cooling radiator in said enclosure above said motor, means for conveying fluid between said radiator and said motor for cooling said motor and means for directing air upwardly through said air inlet and through said enclosure and said radiator.

'7. A motor assembly comprising a water cooled internal combustion motor, a vertically extending enclosure surrounding said motor and having the lower end thereof open, a horizontally extending water cooling radiator at the upper end of said enclosure for cooling said motor. means for conveying water between said radiator and said motor, a muffler adjacent the upper surface of said radiator, means for conveying the exhaust gases from said motor to said muffler, and means for directing air upwardly through the lower open end of said enclosure and through said radiator and past said muilier.

, 8. A motor assembly comprising a water cooled internal combustion motor, a sound proof enclosure surrounding said motor and having the lower end thereof open, a horizontally disposed water cooling radiator at the upper end of said enclosure for cooling said motor, means for conveying water between said radiator and said motor, a muffler above and adjacent said radiator, means for conveying the exhaust gases from said motor to said muflier, means for causing a flow of air currents upwardly in said enclosure past said motor, through said radiator and past said muffler, and means independent of said last mentioned means for directing the exhaust gases emerging from said muffler upwardly in said currents.

9. A motor assembly comprising a fluid cooled internal combustion motor, an enclosure surrounding said motor and having an air inlet at the lower end thereof and an outlet at the upper end thereof, a sound mufiier, means for conveying exhaust gases from said motor to said mufiler, a radiator for said motor intermediate said motor and said muffler and means for directing air currents from said inlet upwardly through said enclosure and through said outlet.

10. A motor assembly comprising an internal combustion motor, a vertically extending enclosure surrounding said motor and having an air inlet at the lower end thereof and an outlet at the upper end thereof, a muilier adjacent said outlet above said motor in line with said enclosure and means for causing a flow of air upwardly in said enclosure from said inlet around said motor and past said mufiler.

11. A motor assembly comprising a fluid cooled internal combustion motor, a vertically extending enclosure surrounding said motor and having an air inlet at the lower end thereof, a horizontally disposed fluid cooling radiator in said enclosure above said motor, means for conveying cooling i'iuid between said radiator and said motor, a pair of laterally spaced mufflers above and adjacent said radiator, means for conveying exhaust gases from said motor through said muillers, and means for directing air upwardly through said enclosure and said radiator, said mufilers lying in the path of said air and defining a space therebetween to permit the major portion of said air to pass upwardly between said muiiiers.

12. The combination of an engine, a vertically extending sound proof enclosure surrounding said engine and having an air inlet at the lower end thereof below said engine and an outlet at the upper end thereof, fan means for creating a draft of air from the inlet to the outlet of said enclosure, and means at said outlet for heating the air discharged therethrough with the exhaust from said engine.

13. The combination of an engine, an enclosure having substantially vertical side walls surrounding said engine, said enclosure being discontinuous at the top and bottom thereof, the bottom of said enclosure serving as an inlet and said top serving as an outlet for a ventilating stream of air, means for supporting an engine in the bottom of said casing, said means and said engine only partially closing the bottom of said enclosure, a radiator extending between the side walls of said enclosure at the top thereof, a plurality of laterally spaced fans underneath said radiator and above said engine, means for rotating said fans, and means for supporting said enclosure above the floor.

14. The combination according to claim 13 comprising a pair of laterally spaced mui'llers for said engine above said radiator, and means associated with the walls of said enclosure for supporting said muiilers adjacent said radiator.

15. The combination of an engine, a chassis, means for securing said engine to said chassis, a. plurality of panels of sound deadening material forming an enclosure for said engine, means for supporting said panels from said chassis, means for supporting said chassis above the floor, said chassis being discontinuous to permit a stream of ventilating air to be passed through said chassis and around said engine, a radiator at the top of said enclosure, and ventilating fan means between said radiator and said engine.

16. A motor assembly comprising a water cooled internal combustion motor, a vertically extending enclosure surrounding said motor and having the lower end thereof open, a horizontally extending water cooling radiator at the upper end of said enclosure for cooling said motor, means for conveying water between said radiator and said motor, a mufiler adjacent the upper surface oi said radiator, means for conveying the exhaust gases from said motor to said muiiler, and fan means interi'l'iediate said motor for directing air upwardly through said enclosure and said radiator and past said muffler,

FRANK BRACKEN. RUSSELL REED.

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